The Skyliner

Issue date: 3/22/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Ryan Stone/The Skyliner A little at a time: The old Tigerville Elementary school, an historic building, was donated to the University last year by the Greenville County school district. The district had planned to demolish the building to make room for Tigerville Elementary's new buildings, but allowed NGU to have it, if the University could have the building moved. The old school is being renovated for use by North Greenville as a black box stage for the University's young theater program.

Brandon Leonard
Staff Writer


Out by the intersection of North Tigerville Road and Highway 414, a building sits upon a raised platform. The building shows no sign of significance or worth, but the future will present a radically different design for the purpose of this building.

The building is the former Tigerville Elementary School. When the district planned to construct a new school; they decided to demolish the former building. Dr. Dale Savidge, theater professor, thought of the idea to transform the used school into a theatre.

"Dr. Savidge had the idea to use the building as a theater. Then, Jacks Tingle and I went over to the school to take measurements and see if the building was appropriate to make into a theater," said Phil Gardner, associate director for development. According to Rev. Joe Hayes, director for development, the former principal of Tigerville Elementary School approached the district with the idea. The district only required North Greenville to move the building. If North Greenville moved the building, it would obtain the school.

The school will be renovated into offices, classrooms and a lobby area. The theater will be built connected to the renovated elementary school, future theater department. "The theater will be two stories and will offer new parking for the North Greenville campus," said Reverend Hayes. Obviously, all of this does not take place without help.
The development department is looking for two major donors to assist financially with the construction. Naming rights on the building, classes and foyer are available for anyone wishing to donate for the new theater.

The future theater will propel the department to a new level of development. "The new theater is part of a plan to enhance the whole school. Just like the blessing of the new Cafeteria and Student Center, the theater opens possibilities for students and makes North Greenville more attractive to prospective students," said Reverend Hayes.
Currently, volunteer carpenters will lay the foundation of the building from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. The development department stated that financial support is not the only opportunity to help. For more information to support financially or as a volunteer, please contact Phil Gardner. His office phone number is 977-7014.

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